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Learn From My Burn!

Posted by Beckie Sub Editor from Vale Of Glamorgan - Published on 05/07/2011 at 12:20
1 comments » - Tagged as Environment, Health, People, School Holiday Activities, Topical

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Yn Gymraeg

In April I wrote an article during the lovely, warm weather about the dangers of too much sun and the importance of wearing suncream to protect from sun damage. Well, I should have taken my own advice. I went back home to Plymouth last week to visit family and friends and decided to enjoy the sun by the sea.

It was a fab day, with a clear blue sky and a nice cooling breeze. The breeze however, proved to be a danger in disguise. I had only put a little bit of low factor suncream on my legs, and as they normally don’t burn, I stupidly decided not keep reapplying it throughout the afternoon. 3 hours later I decided to go home and at first didn’t feel anything was wrong.

I began to feel my legs burn, really burn, and moving was beginning to become a problem. My face was as red as a tomato and my shoulders were following closely behind. The heat my body was producing was incredible. I may as well have been sitting in an oven for all the good a little slap of sunscreen did. My mum gave me a look of disapproval as I headed off to bed in the evening. I had no sleep whatsoever. My legs were burning like the sun itself, my skin so raw and painful every move produced a yelp and a cry. In the morning, after around an hour’s sleep at most, I attempted to get out of bed. I put both feet on the floor and instantly screamed in pain. I could not stand up.

This cycle of pain and heat, swelling and redness has now gone on for a week. My left leg looks like I have leprosy. It’s disgusting. My skin is peeling, red and purple in colour and swollen to twice the size of my right leg, which isn’t much more attractive than the left. I’m still finding it hard to walk and I had to go to the Minor Injuries hospital at home to get it checked out. The nurses were less than impressed, and gave me a stern lecture on using suncream and staying safe in the sun.

I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid. I’m normally the first to tell people to use suncream and not to stay out in the sun too long. I’ve written about the dangers and consequences so many times I should know the deal backwards. I was looking for a quick tan but the wind was so deceptive, I ended up looking like a burns victim. Actually, scrap that, I AM a burns victim.

So, whilst I eat my massive slice of humble pie, can I please say, wear suncream whilst in the sun!!! The picture you see in the article is my actual leg. Gross isn’t it? I was debating on adding it to this article, but I think it serves as a warning about what happens when you don’t look after yourself in the sun. The nurse said I’m now so sensitive to the sun; I have to wear total sunblock or risk damaging my skin even more.

Is it really worth all this pain for a tan? Not in the slightest. From now on I’d rather be pale than pink.

For more info on staying safe in the sun, check out SunSmart

Image:Lovelyangie07